Your faith and simple trust in God began to wane as soon as means flowed in upon you. You did not depart from God all at once. Your backsliding was gradual. You ceased the morning and evening devotions because it was not always convenient. Your son’s wife caused you trials of a peculiar, aggravating character, which had considerable to do in discouraging you from continuing family devotions. Your house became a prayerless house. Your business was made primary, and the Lord and His truth were made secondary. Look back to the days of your earlier experience; would these trials then have driven you from family prayer? {2T 280.3}

[Din tro og enfoldige tillid til Gud begyndte at aftage, så snart pengemidler kom dig i hænde. Du forlod ikke Gud lige på een gang. Dit frafald skete gradvis. Du ophørte med andagt morgen og aften, fordi det ikke altid var (281) belejligt. Din søns hustru voldte dig prøvelser af en særegen og fortrædelig art, som i en betydelig grad medvirkede til, at du ikke fortsatte familieandagterne. Dit hus blev et hus uden bøn. Din forretning fil den første plads; Herren og hans sandhed blev stillet i anden række. Se tilbage til tiden for din tidligere erfaring, ville disse prøvelser den gang have afholdt dig fra familiebøn?